What is the role of a Mele in Hawaiian culture and its use in hula dancing?
A Mele is a Hawaiian chant or song that can be used to tell a story, a history, or an expression of emotion. Mele form a significant part of Hawaiian ceremonies, celebrations and hula dancing. In hula, the Mele is the lyric voice that moves the dance and offers narration. They are oral chants or hymns, passed down from one generation to the next and are culturally and spiritually significant. In Kahiko, hula’s ancestral form, the Mele is sung over chanting (oli), connecting the performers with the traditional heritage and spirituality of the dance.